Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Buick Enclave Reliability Report
The 2023 Buick Enclave rates good for reliability, with no recalls. Headlights that fail or light the road poorly are the main owner complaint.
Recalls
0
Complaints
17
Complaint Rate
4.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,850–$3,000
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good standing with no recalls and fewer complaints than 2022, though weak or failing headlights lead the owner complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)
- SEAT BELTS (2)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is 1 year after the 2022 refresh refresh.
- Year 6 in the Second generation (2018) (2018–2024).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 2nd generation Enclave (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2018: Second generation (2018) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is 1 year after the 2022 refresh refresh.
Should You Buy the 2023 Buick Enclave?
Reliability is good for this model year. Against other 2023 SUVs it stands well above average, and it is among the stronger of the nine Enclave years scored. Owners filed 17 complaints, and federal recall records list none. The 2022 rates worse, with 12 complaints and one recall. The 2024 rates about the same, also with no recalls. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
Headlights are the most common complaint. Some go dark on one side with no warning. Others have weak low beams that leave a dark patch just ahead of the car, and dealer aiming tends to move the spot rather than remove it. Two reports involve seat belts: rear bucket retractors that lock in SmartFloor vehicles, and a snapped driver's belt cable with no warning lamp. The infotainment screen can freeze and take phone, navigation, and OnStar down with it. One engine report describes stalling at highway speed tied to a failed fuel tank sensor.
Drive it at night and check the low beams. Buckle every seat position. Ask for records of any infotainment or fuel tank sensor repairs. The 2024 is a reasonable alternative.
Compared to the 2024 Buick Enclave, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2022 Buick Enclave for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Headlights either fail outright or light the road poorly (4 complaints)
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: These reports cover three unrelated failures, one of them crash-related (3 complaints)
Compare 2023 Buick Enclave With
2023 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability: 72/100
2023 Honda Pilot
Reliability: 72/100
2023 Toyota Highlander
Reliability: 73/100
2023 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 62/100
2023 Kia Telluride
Reliability: 68/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2023 Buick Enclave — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2023 Buick Enclave? Check its history first
Exterior lighting problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Buick Enclave, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Buick Enclave NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.1%
Safety Technologies
Buick EnclaveRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Buick Enclave Resale Value
The Buick Enclave is estimated to retain about 51.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Buick Enclave model overall and is not specific to the 2023 model year.
- Value Retained
- 51.4%
- Depreciation
- 48.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 175
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Buick Enclave depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
20–21 MPG
Fuel cost: $2,850–$3,000/yr
Fuel only
17–18 city / 25–26 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enclave FWD 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
| Enclave AWD 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Buick Enclave.
Drive on an unlit road at night and confirm the low beams light the road ahead without a dark gap.
Set headlights to auto at dusk and confirm both headlights come on promptly and equally.
Pull out and buckle every seat belt, including any SmartFloor rear seats, and inspect the driver belt's floor cable.
Use the phone, radio, and navigation throughout the test drive and watch for freezing or a blank screen.
Inspect the headliner around the sunroof and rearview mirror for water stains, and check that the mirror works normally.
Check the oil level on the dipstick and ask whether the owner has seen an "Oil Needed" warning.
Ask for service records of fuel tank or fuel sensor repairs, and watch for rough idle or stalling.
Back slowly down a slope and confirm the brakes stop and hold the car firmly in reverse.
2023 Buick Enclave Common Problems by Component
17 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 complaintsHeadlights either fail outright or light the road poorly. Some reports describe one headlight going dark with no warning, or automatic lights switching on late at dusk while other cars already have theirs on. Others describe weak low beams that leave a large dark area just ahead of the car, noticed on new vehicles during the first night drive. Dealer aiming adjustments tend to move the dark spot rather than remove it. Drivers say they may not see a person or animal in time on unlit roads.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsSafety-relatedThese reports cover three unrelated failures, one of them crash-related. In the crash, the SUV accelerated while reversing, the brakes did not stop it, and it rolled down a steep driveway until a tree stopped it. Separately, a blocked sunroof drain lets water leak through the headliner and wiring, causing rearview mirror glitches. The replacement part also proved defective. A third report describes a stall that leaves the electronic shifter stuck in park. Dealers could not explain the manual neutral release, so the car could not be towed.
SEAT BELTS
2 complaintsRetractors that refuse to release and a snapped belt cable both leave seating positions with no usable restraint. In SmartFloor-equipped vehicles, both rear bucket seat retractors lock in place, so passengers cannot pull the belt out to buckle. In another report, the driver's belt cable on the outboard side of the seat breaks at the floor, leaving the belt inoperative. No warning lamp came on, and the fault only showed up when buckling in. That owner was past the mileage limit for warranty coverage.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsThe infotainment system freezes or fails to display, taking the phone, radio, navigation, and OnStar down with it. Failures come without warning and keep returning. Dealers have trouble finding a cause. Software updates and part replacements have not reliably cured it, and owners report little help from the manufacturer. The suggested workaround is shutting the vehicle off and waiting for a reset. Drivers in rural areas worry they cannot call for help while the system is frozen.
ENGINE (2 complaints)
ENGINE
2 complaintsStalling and power loss at highway speed are the most serious reports, tied to a failed fuel tank sensor. Rough idling and repeated stalling came back after the dealer replaced the fuel tank and sensor, putting the car back in the shop. Losing power on an interstate creates a real crash risk. A separate report describes an "Oil Needed" warning on a nearly new vehicle at about 1,663 miles. The owner suspected abnormal oil consumption, but the dealer did not diagnose or repair it.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintAnyone behind me could’ve hit the part and caused a wreck. We have told the dealer.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintBrakes squeak very loudly. This has been an issue since I purchased this new vehicle.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintIn Driver info center messages displayed are ESC “this is anti lock cracking system not working”. Steering assist reduced “this is lane departure steering assist not working” Parking brake. “not working” Also cruise control is not working Buick service tells me this has happened often enough in other vehicles that there is a repair bulletin on it. Also the initial cost to repair is $3000 + if this bulletin repair fixes the problem if not there would be more costs. This vehicle is within the 36 month bumper to bumper warranty period but has recently exceeded the 36000 mile warranty threshold. I have already paid for the initial part so it could be ordered.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintSafety-relatedOn [XXX], 2024, a pickup truck ran a red light at 55+ miles per hour and struck the front left quarter panel of our 2023 Buick Enclave as we were pulling into an intersection. Our car was totaled with the entire front end of the car being severely damaged. The front end of the car, both quarter panels, bumper and engine compartment were crushed. - NO airbags deployed. - Both my wife and I were injured. She has a fractured vertebrae and right knee and leg hurt. I have a broken left clavicle, five broken ribs and a hematoma on my left leg. No airbag warning or alerts on dashboard. - I reported the accident to General Motors but no one yet assigned - GM case #: [XXX]. - No complete police report has been provided yet. Police provided link to Crash doc website with insurance info. ...(report uploaded) - vehicle totaled; repair estimate provided by USAA, but looks incomplete and inaccurate...a lot of repair needed not listed (report uploaded) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Best & Worst Buick Enclave Years
Best Buick Enclave Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2023
(Current Model)
2024
2022
Buick Enclave Years to Avoid
Buick Enclave Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Buick Enclave Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Buick Enclave reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Buick Enclave?
Does the 2023 Buick Enclave have headlight problems?
Does the 2023 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
Is the 2023 Buick Enclave better than the 2022 or 2024?
Don’t buy a 2023 Buick Enclave without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Buick Enclave
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Buick Enclave does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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